Fish Division Marine Resources Program

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Fish Division Marine Resources Program 2011-13 Organization Chart

PROPAGATION PROGRAM

COMMISSION

DIRECTOR

HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF

ADMINISTRATIVE PROGRAMS

INFORMATION &

EDUCATION DIVISION

INFORMATION SYSTEMS DIVISION

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIVISION DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF

FISH & WILDLIFE PROGRAMS

FISH DIVISION

GROUNDFISH SHELLFISH OCEAN SALMON

MARINE RESOURCES OPERATIONS

WILDLIFE DIVISION

MARINE RESOURCES

PROGRAM

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Program and Activities

The Marine Resources Program (MRP) manages the state’s marine fish, shellfish and related habitat. The program is based out of Newport with satellite offices in Astoria, Charleston, Corvallis and Brookings. MRP develops and implements Oregon's marine commercial and recreational fishery management programs; participates in state, regional and international (U.S.-Canada) fishery management programs through regional and

international fishery management councils; and participates in Oregon's non-fishery marine resource management programs such as marine mammals, habitat assessments and marine spatial planning.

MRP assesses marine species stock status through research and fishery monitoring. Staff conducts research to address marine resource management

issues such as fishery bycatch or human-use impacts. Staff also gathers information on marine habitats, fishing activity and biological data from the fisheries; tracks and monitors commercial and recreational fish catches and activity in up to 12 ports along the Oregon coast; and studies the biology of marine organisms for use in resource management programs. MRP staff also develops, maintains, and analyzes fishery databases, and provides data to fishery management groups. This program is organized programmatically into four sections:

• Resource Assessment and Management Section: Responsible for sport and commercial shellfish management, marine resources research, marine mammals, and habitat programs.

• Fisheries Management Section: Responsible for developing programs and administrative rules for Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission (Commission) consideration and participating in regional fisheries councils. Both activities are necessary to conduct these fisheries.

Section staff monitors fish population status and fishery management plans, gathers public input, and provides technical analyses, reports, and policy proposals necessary to protect, enhance and manage these fisheries.

Ocean Salmon 23%

Groundfish Shellfish 36%

18%

Marine Resource Operations

23%

Marine Resources Program Expenditures By Program Area

$17.27 Million

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• Data and Technical Services Section: Responsible for collection and management of all marine fisheries data. This section is responsible for the program’s technical data needs and long-term legacy data systems e.g., fish tickets; commercial fishery logbooks; Ocean Recreational Boat Sampling; Oregon’s component of the Pacific Fishery Information Network (PacFIN) and Recreational Fishery Information Network (RecFIN);

groundfish commercial market sampling; species composition; ocean salmon coded wire tag data and halibut harvest; and other activities. This section supports other MRP projects with data system design, statistical analysis, data quality control, and project planning.

• Program Administration Section: Oversees the entire budget, program and policy development process of the MRP. This section also includes front office customer support, including full-service commercial and sport licensing sales.

Marine Resources Program Budget Framework: The MRP budget historically has been divided into four categories: Marine Resources Operations, Ocean Salmon, Shellfish and Groundfish. The names of these historic budget categories do not fully reflect the activities within these areas. The activities assigned to these historical budget categories are explained below:

• Groundfish: Funds monitoring and management of marine fisheries (all fish except salmon and shellfish). It funds port data collection and overall marine data management, regional fishery management support and groundfish research. It also funds development of programs and administrative rules for Commission consideration necessary to conduct these fisheries and to protect, enhance and manage these fish stocks.

• Shellfish: Funds management of sport and commercial shellfish fisheries and developing related programs (including development of the dedicated sport shellfish program) and administrative rules for Commission consideration. It funds monitoring of shellfish population status, gathering public input, technical analyses, reports, and policy proposals necessary to protect, enhance and manage shellfish fisheries. It also includes funds to support marine habitat monitoring, marine fishery research oversight and Nearshore Strategy implementation.

• Ocean Salmon: Funds data collection for sport groundfish fisheries and sport and commercial ocean salmon fisheries, and assists the Columbia River Management Section in managing the ocean salmon fisheries. This budget category also funds data management and technical support for marine fisheries.

• Marine Resources Operations: Funds overall policy development and administration, and oversight of the MRP. It also funds commercial and recreational licensing, the marine mammal program and the development of marine resource policy proposals for regional fishery management, Fish Division and Commission consideration.

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Issues

• Oregon Nearshore Strategy Implementation: A cohesive management program is critical for nearshore species in Oregon because scientific information is lacking to determine their status. The species are under high human-use pressure, and the public is demanding accountability in management of those species. During the 2005-07 biennium, MRP completed a Nearshore Resource Management Strategy which was adopted by the Commission. MRP began implementing the strategy in the 2007-09 biennium with a small two-person staff, but other demands on staff, such as reviewing wave energy proposals halted all work on Nearshore Strategy Implementation. The 2009-11 biennium saw additional demands placed on this small staff, such as the mandate for MRP to lead the marine reserve program for the state.

• Groundfish, High Migratory Species (HMS), and Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) Management: Management of species under the Pacific Fishery

Management Council (groundfish, HMS, and CPS) will include a number of challenges in the 2011-13 biennium and beyond. This includes evaluation of individual fishery quota management systems, continued development of innovative gear, or fishing modifications to increase fishing opportunity while reducing bycatch of non-target species. In addition, it is critical to keep up with fishery monitoring and data collection demands for quota management and stock assessments. Failure to do these essential activities could result in more restrictive recreational and commercial fishing opportunities.

Marine spatial planning has become a top priority, and the collection and processing of historic logbook data to understand the location and value of fishery operations is essential to respond to cumulative regulation and ocean development proposals. Staff is needed to manage relatively new, large commercial fisheries such as sardines. This was a developmental fishery that matured and was placed into a significant limited entry fishery program.

During the 2009-11 biennium, MRP faced new challenges in addressing new fishery program needs due to loss of funding for the Developmental Fisheries Program. Currently, there is no mechanism or funding to adequately support new fisheries.

MRP staff also provides support and intensive participation in all aspects of Pacific and North Pacific regional Fisheries Management Councils and the International Pacific Halibut Commission to ensure Oregon’s interests are fully represented. A significant challenge will be to balance program resources dedicated to sport and commercial groundfish monitoring and management against necessary program resource needs in other fisheries such as crab, shrimp, emerging and nearshore fisheries, which are state-managed fisheries. This will be done through efforts to increase federal funding for federal mandates, as well as review and make efforts to streamline management and enforcement regulations in state-managed marine fisheries, e.g., shrimp, Dungeness crab, nearshore species. ODFW received approval for two limited duration (LD) positions through a policy option package in 2009-11 to use Commercial Fish Funds to accomplish these goals.

• Loss of Federal Funding in Recreational Marine Fishery Sampling Programs: The recreational fishery sampling and data collection program, funded primarily with federal grants, is essential to quota management and data gathering for stock assessments. Federal grant reductions and continued flat funding, coupled with increased personal service and supply costs, have resulted in base program reductions and critical program cuts, holding staff vacancies open, and not purchasing critical supplies to cover shortfalls.

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These shortfalls have resulted in a reduction of personnel needed to meet increased fishery management demands. Without this data, it will be difficult for ODFW to present the scientific information necessary to justify maintaining or expanding commercial and recreational fisheries, putting Oregon’s valued ocean sport fisheries and its coastal communities at a disadvantage in the regional and state fishery management decision-making process. ODFW’s external Sportfish Advisory Committee strongly supports adequate funding of these programs. Additional license dollars will be used to backfill the federal grant reductions and restore the base program to its previous level.

• Developmental Fisheries Program: This commercial fishery program was created in 1995 to monitor new fisheries and flexible permits to test new commercial fisheries for economic and biological sustainability. It is primarily funded with General Fund monies and a dedicated fund for research using developmental fisheries landing fees. Funding has never been adequate to fully implement the program, and with the transfer of the clam and sardine fisheries out of the program, current landing tax revenue is insufficient to sustain it. During the 2007-09 biennium, ODFW received a one-time package to evaluate the Developmental Fisheries Program and propose more efficient and effective ways to implement it. A recent industry survey strongly supports the program revision and continuation of this developmental fishery program, if adequately funded to meet its intended goals. However, funding for this program was lost for the 2009-11 biennium.

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Revenue Sources and Proposed Revenue Changes

General Fund supports much of the groundfish stock assessment and bycatch reduction work. It also provides match for several federal grants that support fishery monitoring.

Other Funds sources include revenue from the commercial landing taxes and license fees (Commercial Fish Fund), recreational angling and shellfish license revenue, and some minor contracts. Other Funds support portions of groundfish and shellfish fishery monitoring and policy tasks, and some of the program operations.

Federal Fund sources include more than 20 separate federal contracts supporting the bulk of the groundfish, shrimp and ocean salmon fishery monitoring work, some groundfish and shrimp stock assessment work and some groundfish fishery policy work.

Primary federal contracting agencies include NOAA Fisheries, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).

Proposed Revenue Changes

The MRP is seeking additional funds from a variety of sources to fund the Nearshore Marine Management program and the pinniped predation study.

The source of funding has not been determined.

General Fund 2%

Lottery Funds 5%

Other Fund 72%

Federal Fund 21%

Marine Resources Program Revenues by Fund Type

$24.88 Million

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Proposed New Laws

No new laws are proposed.

Expected Results from the 2011-13 Budget

Benchmark 86 (marine species at risk): The condition of Oregon’s marine fisheries is mixed. Many stocks are in good shape, but some are vulnerable to over-fishing and other pressures. Healthy marine stocks are a key ingredient of a healthy environment. Many coastal communities depend on commercial fishing and seafood processing for economic survival as well as marine-related tourism and recreation. The 2011-13 budget continues management of the state’s marine resources to ensure resource conservation while providing and enhancing sustainable economic and recreational opportunities to residents and visitors to the Oregon coast. However, thorough monitoring and resource assessment efforts are needed to ensure orderly execution of fisheries and to identify any potential resource problems before they become crises. Current levels of monitoring, while satisfactory for some fisheries, are inadequate for others, and are just beginning for some fisheries.

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Essential Packages

The Essential Packages represent changes made to the 2009-11 budget that estimate the cost to continue current legislatively approved programs into the 2011-13 Biennium.

010 Vacancy Factor and Non-PICS Personal Services

• Vacancy Factor (attrition) reduces the PICS generated personal services budget for the current positions. The adjustment represents the projected savings from staff turnover. This package contains only the change from the prior approved budget.

• Non-PICS items include temporary, overtime, shift differentials, unemployment assessment, and mass transit taxes (rate 0.006). This package reflects the inflation increase for these items.

• PERS Bond Assessment represents the amount budgeted for the 2011-13 budget in accordance with Department of Administrative Services’ instructions.

021/

022 Cost of Phase-in and Phase-out Programs and One-time Costs

• Includes Phase-outs for: Marine augmentation (OF), Marine Reserve Site (OF) and Oregon Coast estuaries (OF).

031 Inflation/Price List Increases

• Inflation increase: 2.4 percent is the established general inflation factor for 2011-13 and has been applied to most Services and Supplies, Capital Outlay and Special Payments expenditures.

032 Above Standard Inflation/Price List Increases

• None

033 Exceptional Inflation/Price List Increases

• None

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050 Fund Shifts

• None

060 Technical Adjustments

• None

070 Revenue Reduction

• None

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Department of Fish and Wildlife

Package 086 BAM Analyst Adjustments – Eliminate Inflation

PURPOSE

The Department of Administrative Services Budget and Management Analyst removed inflation requested in Package 031.

HOW ACHIEVED

Used on a statewide basis to eliminate standard and AG inflation and to adjust State Government Service Charges.

STAFFING IMPACT None

REVENUE SOURCE ($ 4,056) General Fund ($52,092) Other Funds ($27,443) Federal Funds ($83,591) All Funds

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Package 087 BAM Analyst Adjustments – Personal Service Adjustments

PURPOSE

The Department of Administrative Services Budget and Management Analyst reduced personal services by 5.5 percent.

HOW ACHIEVED

This reflects an across-the-board reduction in total personal services from the Current Service Level budget.

STAFFING IMPACT None

REVENUE SOURCE ($ 60,259) General Fund ($397,263) Other Funds ($224,768) Federal Funds ($682,290) All Funds

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Package 090 BAM Analyst Adjustments

PURPOSE

The Department of Administrative Services Budget and Management Analyst made adjustments necessary to achieve ODFW’s required reduction in General Fund

HOW ACHIEVED

This package reduces General Funds and position authority. It cuts more than half from the divisions current service level General Fund and about 4 percent of its total funds. In its final version, this package shifts funding from Federal Funds to Lottery Funds for POP 155.

REVENUE SOURCE ($ 694,593) General Fund ($2,636,000) Federal Fund ($3,330,593) All Funds

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Agency Name:

Policy Option Package Initiative:

90-155 Nearshore Marine Resource Management Program

Policy Option Package Element Addendum: M 004

PURPOSE

DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM OR ISSUE:

The purpose of this package is to provide staffing and project dollars for the Nearshore Marine Resource Management Program (Nearshore Program) to implement the Oregon Nearshore Strategy, marine reserves and other marine spatial planning activities. The purpose of Oregon’s Nearshore Strategy is to promote actions that will conserve ecological functions and nearshore marine resources to provide long-term ecological, economic and social benefits for current and future generations of Oregonians.

The proposed Nearshore Program integrates natural resource management functions in the nearshore ocean other than traditional regulation setting and monitoring functions for specific fisheries. Integration includes the existing marine reserves program and Nearshore Strategy implementation, as well as additional capacity for marine spatial planning. Integrating these nearshore functions under one program creates efficiencies over separate stand-alone programs because of overlapping goals and objectives, shared functions and processes, and joint data needs.

This package represents a phased-in, sequential approach to nearshore management that addresses immediate concerns, while also allowing ODFW to comprehensively address ongoing issues and integrate new issues as they emerge.

With the current austerity budget, the Nearshore Program will function with a smaller staff and only be able to accomplish the bare minimum research, monitoring, and community engagement necessary to implement the five or six marine reserve sites. Accomplishing these austerity functions assumes the $500,000 specified in the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department budget will be used in full to directly support this policy option package. This austerity budget does not include new funds for additional enforcement of the Redfish Rocks and Otter Rock sites, which are the only reserves that would have prohibitions to enforce this biennium. This austerity budget will also only provide limited capacity for ODFW to participate in marine spatial planning activities, drawing upon existing staff that have other programmatic requirements.

Additional Other Fund and Federal Funds would enable this program to accomplish more robust research, monitoring and enforcement for marine reserves, better support ongoing or new marine spatial planning efforts, and provide more money to coastal communities for cooperative research, outreach and involvement in marine management.

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In subsequent biennia, the primary focus will shift to additional nearshore needsas the marine reserves effort stabilizes into long-term monitoring and enforcement efforts. Eventually this program will address comprehensive research and monitoring, management and policy, and education and outreach needed for the entire nearshore, which will require additional support and staff in the future.

HOW ACHIEVED

PROPOSED SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OR ISSUE:

This package recommends continuing limited duration staff and Services and Supplies needed for continued implementation of marine reserves and support limited involvement in other aspects of the Nearshore Strategy and ongoing marine spatial planning.

The proposed program has the following elements:

Nearshore Spatial Planning Program Leader (1.00 FTE, NRS4-M) – Determines long-term and day-to-day program goals, objectives, directions, and plans. Provides overall supervision, leadership, and management of Nearshore Spatial Planning Program staff, with an emphasis this biennium on marine reserves. Leads the integration of the Marine Reserves Program into the Nearshore Program. Leads nearshore and marine reserve policy and management decisions and actions. Directs policy analysis and public process for policy/management decisions. Interacts with the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission and outside policy/management entities.

Nearshore Spatial Planning Policy and Management (1.00 FTE NRS3) – Designates (through rulemaking) and develops management plans for new marine reserve sites. Provides Nearshore and marine reserves policy direction. Analyzes social and economic impacts of policy, regulation, and development on Oregon coastal communities and existing uses. Works with biological and policy staff and partners to develop solutions that maximize social and economic benefits while meeting natural resource conservation needs.

Nearshore Spatial Planning Biological Research Team (1.00 FTE SFWB, 1.00 FTE NRS2, 1.00 FTE EBA) - Develops biological monitoring plans and conducts baseline studies at newly designated marine reserve sites. Conducts long-term biological and ecological monitoring at marine reserve and comparison sites.

Nearshore Spatial Planning Socioeconomic Research (1.00 FTE NRS3) - Develops socioeconomic monitoring plans and conducts baseline studies at newly designated marine reserve sites. Conducts monitoring at marine reserve and comparison sites, including changes in human behavior such as fishery effort shifts, changes in social values of the area, and an on-going evaluation of costs and benefits of marine reserves and their impacts on local communities.

HOW THIS FURTHERS THE AGENCY MISSION OR GOALS:

ODFW’s mission is to protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations. The proposed program furthers ODFW’s mission in the nearshore marine environment.

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The state designated two marine reserves during the 2009-2011 biennium. Additional marine reserves may be designated during the 2011-2013 biennium, depending of the outcome of current marine reserves process and subsequent legislative direction. Numerous challenges facing the coast require comprehensive marine spatial planning to ensure marine resources, and the coastal communities dependent on them, remain sustainable.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES TO QUANTIFY THE SUCCESS OF THE PROPOSAL:

The effectiveness of the Nearshore Program for this biennium will be measured by the completion of marine reserves designations and monitoring consistent with legislation and other limited marine spatial planning. In future biennia, with more robust funding, the Nearshore Program will shift focus to also implement more elements of the Nearshore Strategy, which contains 16 recommendations for its implementation. Effectiveness of the

Nearshore Program will be measured in progress toward implementing those recommendations. There are scheduled review dates set out in the Nearshore Strategy, calling for a progress report to the Fish and Wildlife Commission every two years, and a formal review every five years for consistency with current issues and resource management programs.

STATUTORY REFERENCE:

The proposed program enhancement furthers conservation and use of fish and wildlife resources as governed by ORS Chapters 496-498, ORS Chapters 506-513, ORS Chapters 496-498, ORS 196.540, and ORS Chapters 506-513.

ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED AND REASONS FOR REJECTION:

This proposal fills existing gaps in a program with the minimum staffing and expenses necessary. No alternative project design was considered.

IMPACT OF NOT FUNDING:

Not funding this program will continue status quo of delaying filling information gaps needed to manage nearshore marine resources, and hampering ODFW’s ability to fully participate in rapidly growing nearshore marine resource management needs such as marine spatial planning, management of emerging uses, and growing user conflicts. Additionally, not funding the package would eliminate Oregon’s ability to research, monitor and evaluate existing or new marine reserves this biennium.

EQUIPMENT TO BE PURCHASED (IF APPLICABLE):

Field sampling equipment will be purchased to support the research and monitoring functions. Existing office equipment (e.g., computers) will be updated if necessary.

STAFFING IMPACT

Continue one (1113162) limited duration full-time Supervising Fish & Wildlife Biologist position (0.5 FTE to 1.0 FTE)

Continue two (1113156, 1113157) limited duration full-time Natural Resource Specialist 3 positions (0.5 FTE to 1.0 FTE each) Continue one (1113158) limited duration full-time Natural Resource Specialist 2 position (0.5 FTE to 1.0 FTE)

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Continue one (1113155) limited duration full-time Natural Resource Specialist 4 position (0.5 FTE to 1.0 FTE) Continue one (1113159) limited duration full-time Experimental Biology Aide position (0.5 FTE to 1.0 FTE) REVENUE SOURCE

$1,144,004 Lottery Funds (Measure 76)

REQUEST TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENTS CHANGE REVENUE SOURCE TO READ:

REVENUE SOURCE

$1,144,004 Lottery Funds (Measure 76)

$ 500,000 Other Funds (Transfer from Oregon Department of Parks)

$ 900,000 Federal Funds

$2,544,004 Total Funds

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Package 092 BAM Analyst Adjustments

PURPOSE

The Department of Administrative Services Budget and Management Analyst made adjustments to restore reductions made in Package 090.

HOW ACHIEVED

This package provides Other Funds expenditure limitation and position authority to restore reductions made in Package 090 by using Commercial Fish Fund and license revenues.

REVENUE SOURCE

$694,593 Other Funds

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Agency Name:

Policy Option Package Initiative:

120 Marine Fisheries Log Book Evaluation

Policy Option Package Element Addendum: M 011

PURPOSE

The purpose of this package is to convert two 0.5 FTE Experimental Biological Aide (EBA) positions from LD to permanent status. These positions were created to help enter and process data from commercial fishing vessel logbooks. This information is used in fisheries management, stock assessment, and research. Timely data entry and processing is essential to effective management of these fisheries. The need for logbook data entry and processing is ongoing, and the need for these two positions will continue into the future on a permanent basis.

HOW ACHIEVED

PROPOSED SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OR ISSUE:

The proposed solution is to convert the two 0.5 FTE positions from LD to permanent status.

ODFW and federal fishery management partners use data collected through the commercial fishery logbooks to manage ocean finfish and shellfish fisheries to ensure sustainability. Important data elements available from logbooks include location and depth of catch, fishing effort quantifiers and information on released or discarded fish. Continuing these two EBA positions on a permanent basis will support the agency mission of protecting and enhancing Oregon’s fish and wildlife for use and enjoyment by present and future generations of Oregonians. Converting these positions from LD to permanent status will ensure continuity in entering and processing logbook data for timely use in fisheries management and research.

Timely entry of information from commercial finfish and shellfish logbooks into electronic databases. Timely processing of electronic logbook data to make it available for use by fishery managers and researchers.

ODFW is authorized to conduct fish and wildlife management activities under ORS Chapters 496-498 and ORS Chapters 503-513.

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Dispersal of responsibilities to other programs and staff. Rejected due to impact on those programs, limited staff resources, and potential impact on commercial fisheries due to delays in entry and processing of logbook data.

If this package is not approved, ODFW will be unable to maintain timely entry and processing of commercial fishing vessel logbook data, and there will be a significant delay in availability of this information to fishery managers and researchers. This will increase the uncertainty associated with fishery management and assessment measures. ODFW would lose the opportunity to make use of location- or depth-specific information in crafting management measures designed to offer the most fishing opportunity while providing adequate protection for species of concern. This could result in a loss of fishing opportunity, leading to immediate economic hardship for Oregon’s commercial fishing fleets and for businesses that support them. A significant delay in availability of information on released/discarded fish could also lead to exceeding allowable impact levels, possibly resulting in overfishing and subsequent reduction in fishing opportunities.

None

STAFFING IMPACT

Convert two (1113163, 1113164) LD seasonal full-time (12 months) EBA positions to permanent full-time (1.00 FTE).

QUANTIFYING RESULTS

The effectiveness of the logbook data entry positions will be measured by the number of logbooks entered into the database, error checked, and made ready for staff fishery managers. The numbers will be tallied each year and compared with beginning-of-year targets for data entry.

REVENUE SOURCE

$119,356 Other Funds (Commercial Fish Fund)

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Agency Name:

Policy Option Package Initiative:

146 Avian Predation - Research, Management and Monitoring

Policy Option Package Element Addendum: M 001

PURPOSE

Avian predation on juvenile salmon and steelhead (salmonids) in the Lower Columbia River system has concerned anglers and fishery managers since the 1990s, particularly with potential impacts on recovery of threatened and endangered salmonids.

This is a complicated management situation because of salmonid population declines due to many causes, concentration of vulnerable juvenile salmonids at estuaries, concentration of Caspian tern and double-crested cormorants in the lower Columbia, possible redistribution of waterbirds from historic colonies, and federal laws governing multiple agencies.

In 2009, ODFW increased its commitment to finding a balance between salmonid populations and waterbird conservation by creating an Avian Predation Coordinator position. The Legislature included an LD position in ODFW’s 2009-11 budget. This position is the ODFW expert on avian predation issues, addressing impacts of avian predators (primarily double-crested cormorants and Caspian terns) on salmon and steelhead (salmonids) in the lower Columbia River and along the Oregon coast. This position coordinates with fishery biologists and managers to determine potential impacts of avian predation on smolt survival and salmonid populations. The coordinator also works with federal agencies to ensure new and on-going research addresses state priorities, develops future cormorant management actions to address effects of avian predators, identifies priority areas of fish-cormorant conflicts, and oversees hazing at priority areas.

HOW ACHIEVED

Continue and make permanent the Avian Predation Coordinator position to oversee development and implementation of complex and highly political management strategies to reduce impacts of avian predation on salmonids. The coordinator represents ODFW on interagency committees, teams, task forces and working groups and participates in state and national meetings, hearings and conferences on impacts of avian predation on salmonids. The coordinator has provided biological information and management recommendations in federal planning efforts, including National Environmental Policy Act analysis and review. The coordinator has advised and consulted with state and federal agencies on implementation of the Record of Decision for the Final Environmental Impact Statement for Caspian Tern Management to Reduce Predation of Juvenile Salmonids in the Columbia River Estuary.

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Additional duties include overseeing double-crested cormorant hazing at priority areas along the Oregon coast to ensure avian predation

management actions are consistent with state and federal laws, policies and regulations, and working with federal agencies to obtain permits for management actions if appropriate and needed. The coordinator also maintains updated biological and population information on terns,

cormorants and other waterbird species in coordination with other employees, divisions, agencies, academia and nongovernmental organizations;

develops status reports; designs and oversees research, surveys and monitoring programs for designated waterbirds; assesses biological information and ensures ODFW’s data on waterbird populations is current and the best available.

This position is the ODFW contact for avian predation issues. Management actions based on sound science will help balance enhancement and protection of Oregon’s fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations

Number of hazing programs started on the Oregon coast, and number of management strategies identified to reduce impacts of avian predation on salmonids.

ODFW is authorized to conduct fish and wildlife management activities under ORS Chapters 496-498 and ORS Chapters 503-513.

Using existing staff to implement program was rejected. A focused approach is needed to effectively address this complex issue.

Slow to little progress in finding solutions to a complex problem.

None

STAFFING IMPACT

Convert one (1113003) LD Natural Resource Specialist 3 position to permanent full-time (1.00 FTE).

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Results will be quantified based on number of estuaries on which well-planned and responsible harassment projects take place. Associated monitoring and research efforts to improve ODFW’s knowledge of diet composition of double-crested cormorants and general conditions and most frequent times in which double-crested cormorants forage in small coastal estuaries will also be quantified. Agency staff will also prepare weekly reports of operation that will enable supervisors to measure changes in performance and ensure agency objectivities are met.

REVENUE SOURCE

$126,510 Other Funds (Commercial Fish Fund)

$126,510 Other Funds (License)

$253,020 All Funds

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Agency Name:

Policy Option Package Initiative:

147 Pinniped Predation - Research, Management and Monitoring

Policy Option Package Element Addendum: M 002

PURPOSE

The purpose of the project is to conduct research and monitoring operations to better understand and manage the effects of pinniped predation on fish populations in the lower Columbia River Basin. Specific interactions of concern include Steller sea lion predation on white sturgeon in the river from the confluence of the Willamette River to Bonneville Dam; California sea lion predation on salmonids in the same area; California sea lion predation on salmonids below Willamette Falls; and Steller sea lion, California sea lion, and harbor seal predation on salmonids, eulachon, and other species of concern in the Columbia River estuary.

HOW ACHIEVED

Accurate data and information is essential to identify significant predation issues and get federal authority to take management actions to reduce predation on important fish stocks. Work will include capturing and marking pinnipeds to document movements and foraging patterns; aerial and boat surveys to determine pinniped distribution and abundance in the river; fecal sample collection to identify species and levels of fish

consumption; predation monitoring and hazing to limit predation where possible; and removing known predatory individual pinnipeds as provided for under federal law to the State of Oregon.

ODFW’s mission is to protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations.

Successful management and sustainable use of fishery resources requires a thorough understanding of factors that affect fish populations, including predation by growing pinniped populations.

Indicators of success of the proposed work include identifying and evaluating significant predation impacts of Oregon’s fishery resources. Obtaining accurate information on fish consumption by pinnipeds will contribute to fishery management and conservation plans and actions. Understanding the impacts of pinniped predation on fish stocks will allow appropriate management actions intended to reduce predation losses.

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This package relates to KPM 2 (percent of the license buying population with fishing licenses and/or tags), KPM 5 (personal income generated from commercial fishery landings), and KPM 7 (percent of fish species of concern – listed as threatened, endangered, or sensitive – being monitored).

The proposed program enhancement furthers conservation and use of fish and wildlife resources as governed by ORS Chapters 496-498 and ORS Chapters 506-513. It also operates according to authorities granted the state under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (1972).

This proposal fills existing gaps in a program with the minimum staffing and expenses necessary. No alternative project design was deemed probable for success.

Not conducting this work will likely lead to greater predation on Oregon’s fishery resources by increasing pinniped populations. Without the information collected by this project, effective management actions to reduce predation losses cannot be identified, proposed to federal authorities or implemented.

Computers, phones, workstations, and associated supplies will be purchased for the proposed positions.

STAFFING IMPACT

Establish one (1113116) LD full-time Natural Resource Specialist 2 position (1.00 FTE).

Establish two (1113117, 1113118) LD seasonal full-time (12 months) Experimental Biological Aide positions (1.00 FTE).

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The effectiveness of this program will be measured by successfully implementing a pinniped monitoring and management program at Bonneville Dam including capturing and marking pinnipeds to document movements and foraging patterns; aerial and boat surveys to determine pinniped distribution and abundance in the river; fecal sample collection to identify species and levels of fish consumption; predation monitoring and hazing to limit

predation where possible; and removal of known predatory individual pinnipeds as provided for under federal law to the State of Oregon. Results will be measured annually after the end of each field season (by November of each year).

REVENUE SOURCE

$345,261 Federal Funds (National Marine Fisheries Service)

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Description

Fish & Wildlife, Oregon Dept of Cross Reference Name: Marine Resources

Pkg: 010 - Non-PICS Psnl Svc / Vacancy Factor Cross Reference Number: 63500-010-03-00-00000

General Fund Lottery Funds Other Funds Federal Funds Nonlimited Other Funds

Nonlimited Federal Funds

All Funds

Revenues

General Fund Appropriation 3,045 - - - - - 3,045

Federal Funds - - - (24,565) - - (24,565)

Total Revenues $3,045 - - ($24,565) - - ($21,520)

Personal Services

Overtime Payments 227 - 730 1,048 - - 2,005

Shift Differential 13 - 14 82 - - 109

All Other Differential 47 - 5 35 - - 87

Public Employees' Retire Cont 41 - 108 167 - - 316

Pension Bond Contribution (6,945) - 57,325 2,911 - - 53,291

Social Security Taxes 21 - 57 90 - - 168

Mass Transit Tax (957) - (3,062) - - - (4,019)

Vacancy Savings 10,598 - (19,884) (28,898) - - (38,184)

Total Personal Services $3,045 - $35,293 ($24,565) - - $13,773

Total Expenditures

Total Expenditures 3,045 - 35,293 (24,565) - - 13,773

Total Expenditures $3,045 - $35,293 ($24,565) - - $13,773

Ending Balance

Ending Balance - - (35,293) - - - (35,293)

Total Ending Balance - - ($35,293) - - - ($35,293)

(27)

Description

Pkg: 022 - Phase-out Pgm & One-time Costs Cross Reference Number: 63500-010-03-00-00000

All Funds

Services & Supplies

Office Expenses - - (86,113) - - - (86,113)

Publicity and Publications - - (30,000) - - - (30,000)

Agency Program Related S and S - - (409,343) - - - (409,343)

Other Services and Supplies - - (97,530) - - - (97,530)

Total Services & Supplies - - ($622,986) - - - ($622,986)

Capital Outlay

Office Furniture and Fixtures - - (18,000) - - - (18,000)

Total Capital Outlay - - ($18,000) - - - ($18,000)

Total Expenditures - - (640,986) - - - (640,986)

Total Expenditures - - ($640,986) - - - ($640,986)

Ending Balance

Ending Balance - - 640,986 - - - 640,986

Total Ending Balance - - $640,986 - - - $640,986

(28)

Description

Pkg: 031 - Standard Inflation Cross Reference Number: 63500-010-03-00-00000

All Funds

Revenues

General Fund Appropriation 3,892 - - - - - 3,892

Federal Funds - - - 30,073 - - 30,073

Total Revenues $3,892 - - $30,073 - - $33,965

Instate Travel 892 - 5,201 2,745 - - 8,838

Out of State Travel - - 947 269 - - 1,216

Employee Training - - 1,229 427 - - 1,656

Office Expenses - - 1,735 275 - - 2,010

Telecommunications - - 2,108 376 - - 2,484

Data Processing - - 28 10 - - 38

Publicity and Publications - - 633 139 - - 772

Professional Services 2,855 - 19,882 11,594 - - 34,331

Employee Recruitment and Develop - - 115 56 - - 171

Dues and Subscriptions - - 16 - - - 16

Facilities Rental and Taxes 123 - 6,957 - - - 7,080

Fuels and Utilities - - 762 11 - - 773

Facilities Maintenance - - 215 - - - 215

Agency Program Related S and S 22 - 14,067 35 - - 14,124

Other Services and Supplies - - 2,782 9,881 - - 12,663

Expendable Prop 250 - 5000 - - 328 - - - 328

IT Expendable Property - - 1,295 460 - - 1,755

Total Services & Supplies $3,892 - $58,300 $26,278 - - $88,470

(29)

Description

Pkg: 031 - Standard Inflation Cross Reference Number: 63500-010-03-00-00000

All Funds

Capital Outlay

Office Furniture and Fixtures - - 4,074 - - - 4,074

Agricultural Equip. and Mach. - - 307 195 - - 502

Total Capital Outlay - - $4,381 $195 - - $4,576

Special Payments

Dist to Other Gov Unit - - 1,200 3,600 - - 4,800

Total Special Payments - - $1,200 $3,600 - - $4,800

Total Expenditures 3,892 - 63,881 30,073 - - 97,846

Total Expenditures $3,892 - $63,881 $30,073 - - $97,846

Ending Balance

Ending Balance - - (63,881) - - - (63,881)

(30)

Description

Pkg: 086 - Eliminate Inflation Cross Reference Number: 63500-010-03-00-00000

All Funds

Revenues

General Fund Appropriation (4,056) - - - - - (4,056)

Federal Funds - - - (27,443) - - (27,443)

Total Revenues ($4,056) - - ($27,443) - - ($31,499)

Overtime Payments (184) - (596) (837) - - (1,617)

Shift Differential (13) - (13) (82) - - (108)

All Other Differential (39) - (5) (35) - - (79)

Public Employees' Retire Cont (33) - (89) (136) - - (258)

Social Security Taxes (18) - (46) (75) - - (139)

Total Personal Services ($287) - ($749) ($1,165) - - ($2,201)

Instate Travel (892) - (5,201) (2,745) - - (8,838)

Out of State Travel - - (947) (269) - - (1,216)

Employee Training - - (1,229) (427) - - (1,656)

Office Expenses - - (1,735) (275) - - (2,010)

Telecommunications - - (2,108) (376) - - (2,484)

Data Processing - - (28) (10) - - (38)

Publicity and Publications - - (633) (139) - - (772)

Professional Services (2,855) - (19,882) (11,594) - - (34,331)

Employee Recruitment and Develop - - (115) (56) - - (171)

Dues and Subscriptions - - (16) - - - (16)

Fuels and Utilities - - (762) (11) - - (773)

(31)

Description

Pkg: 086 - Eliminate Inflation Cross Reference Number: 63500-010-03-00-00000

All Funds

Facilities Maintenance - - (215) - - - (215)

Agency Program Related S and S (22) - (14,067) (35) - - (14,124)

Other Services and Supplies - - (2,782) (9,881) - - (12,663)

Expendable Prop 250 - 5000 - - (328) - - - (328)

IT Expendable Property - - (1,295) (460) - - (1,755)

Total Services & Supplies ($3,769) - ($51,343) ($26,278) - - ($81,390)

Total Expenditures (4,056) - (52,092) (27,443) - - (83,591)

Total Expenditures ($4,056) - ($52,092) ($27,443) - - ($83,591)

Ending Balance

Ending Balance - - 52,092 - - - 52,092

(32)

Description

Pkg: 087 - Personal Service Adjustments Cross Reference Number: 63500-010-03-00-00000

All Funds

Revenues

Federal Funds - - - (224,768) - - (224,768)

Total Revenues ($60,259) - - ($224,768) - - ($285,027)

Reconciliation Adjustment (60,259) - (397,263) (224,768) - - (682,290)

Total Personal Services ($60,259) - ($397,263) ($224,768) - - ($682,290)

Total Expenditures (60,259) - (397,263) (224,768) - - (682,290)

Total Expenditures ($60,259) - ($397,263) ($224,768) - - ($682,290)

Ending Balance

Ending Balance - - 397,263 - - - 397,263

(33)

Description

Pkg: 090 - Analyst Adjustments Cross Reference Number: 63500-010-03-00-00000

All Funds

Revenues

Federal Funds - - - (2,636,000) - - (2,636,000)

Tsfr From Watershed Enhance Bd - 1,144,004 - - - - 1,144,004

Total Revenues ($694,593) $1,144,004 - ($2,636,000) - - ($2,186,589)

Reconciliation Adjustment (694,593) 741,070 - (1,545,971) - - (1,499,494)

Total Personal Services ($694,593) $741,070 - ($1,545,971) - - ($1,499,494)

Other Services and Supplies - 402,934 - (1,090,029) - - (687,095)

Total Services & Supplies - $402,934 - ($1,090,029) - - ($687,095)

Total Expenditures (694,593) 1,144,004 - (2,636,000) - - (2,186,589)

Total Expenditures ($694,593) $1,144,004 - ($2,636,000) - - ($2,186,589)

Ending Balance

Ending Balance - - - - - - -

Total Ending Balance - - - - - - -

(34)

Description

Pkg: 090 - Analyst Adjustments Cross Reference Number: 63500-010-03-00-00000

All Funds

Total Positions

Total Positions (4)

Total Positions - - - - - - (4)

Total FTE

Total FTE (4.82)

Total FTE - - - - - - (4.82)

(35)

Description

Pkg: 092 - Fund Shifts\Sweeps Cross Reference Number: 63500-010-03-00-00000

All Funds

Class/Unclass Sal. and Per Diem (463,344) - 463,344 - - - -

Empl. Rel. Bd. Assessments (174) - 174 - - - -

Public Employees' Retire Cont (66,767) - 66,767 - - - -

Social Security Taxes (35,446) - 35,446 - - - -

Worker's Comp. Assess. (WCD) (251) - 251 - - - -

Flexible Benefits (128,617) - 128,617 - - - -

Reconciliation Adjustment 694,599 - (6) - - - 694,593

Total Personal Services - - $694,593 - - - $694,593

Total Expenditures - - 694,593 - - - 694,593

Total Expenditures - - $694,593 - - - $694,593

Ending Balance

Ending Balance - - (694,593) - - - (694,593)

Total Positions

Total Positions 4

Total Positions - - - - - - 4

(36)

Description

Pkg: 092 - Fund Shifts\Sweeps Cross Reference Number: 63500-010-03-00-00000

All Funds

Total FTE

Total FTE 4.82

Total FTE - - - - - - 4.82